Chisholm Trail District
Extension Districts are an exciting opportunity to provide communities with additional resources, activities and programs. While working together as a district, extension offices are able to be more efficient, effective and sustainable and agents are able to specialize and provide more in-depth programming while having access to additional resources and support.
Extension programs present useful information related to agriculture, home economics, youth development, family life, business and economics, healthy living, and much more. We take programs to schools, gardens, community centers, and other places.
Our philosophy is to help people help themselves by taking university knowledge to where people live, work, play, develop, and lead. We work at being responsive to the needs of the people by focusing our resources on providing quality information, education and problem-solving programs for real concerns.
Events
Community Gardens
Are you interested in gardening but, don't have the space to do it? Dickinson county has two community gardens (Herington and Abilene) available to garden in. The Abilene garden has raised beds and plots available to be rented. Additionally, Herington has available plots to be rented. Interested in learning more or wanting to get started? Please call our office, 785-263-2001.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)
K-State Research and Extension – Chisholm Trail District Dickinson County Officeis again providing free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The VITA program is for individuals and families with income of $60,000 or less. Businesses, including farms, are not eligible for this free service.
Patrons can pick up, or be mailed, the pre-preparation paperwork and then drop off their complete paperwork and important tax documents. Once your documents have been received at the office, a VITA preparer will begin your return and contact you once a pickup and signing appointment is needed. Returns are expected to be ready for tax payer review in about a week. The deadline to drop off paperwork is April 7, to give our preparers sufficient time to complete all returns.
Drop off and pickup will be at the Chisholm Trail District Dickinson County Extension Office at 712 S Buckeye, in Abilene. For questions, or to request an Intake Packet via the mail, please call 785-263-2001 EXT 3 for Renae
Walk Kansas
Walk Kansas is a team-based program to celebrate healthy living through an 8 week wellness challenge in the spring (start date in March).
Join this program and expect to be more active with friends and family, make better nutrition choices, and walk away your stress! Visit www.walkkansas.org or check back here for more information.
Week of the Young Child
Current Programs:
- In 6 lessons, learn about:
- healthy eating patterns using MyPlate
- meal planning
- food budgeting
- food safety
Interested? Register here: https://www.k-state.edu/ks-snaped/free-classes.html
If you complete the full series of 6 classes, you can choose a kitchen tool or small appliance incentive (up to $25 value) from our Kansas SNAP-Ed United Health Care grant!
Register here: https://www.k-state.edu/ks-snaped/free-classes.html
This (FREE) seminar series covers a wide range of topics from Online Safety, to Love Languages, to Helping your Healthy Habits stick.
To register for these virtual sessions Click Here
StoryWalk® is an innovative and delightful way for children — and adults! — to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Laminated pages from a children's book are attached to stakes, which are installed along an outdoor path. As you stroll down the trail, you're directed to the next page in the story. Contact the Extension Office to request a StoryWalk.
Favorite Food Show Cookbook:
Here we have a cookbook put together with recipes made by our own 4-Hers!
